z/OS IMS Mainframe Systems Programmer

About The Role

As a z/OS & IMS Mainframe Systems Programmer, you will support the stability, availability, performance, and recoverability of enterprise mainframe platforms. You will help maintain and enhance critical z/OS and IMS environments through system upgrades, software maintenance, performance monitoring, incident resolution, and operational improvement activities. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team and work collaboratively with the Senior Manager.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade IBM z/OS environments, including z/OS 3.1 and later releases, using SMP/E for software installation, patching, fixes, and ISV product maintenance.
• Support z/OS version upgrades and core platform components, including Parallel Sysplex, JES2, LPARs, system parameters, Parmlib, and z/OSMF.
• Maintain and monitor z/OS performance and capacity using RMF, SMF, WLM, and related reporting tools.
• Perform IMS Version 15 system programming activities, including software installation, upgrades, maintenance, fixes, IMSGEN, and SYSGEN.
• Administer and maintain IMS environments, including backup, recovery, reorganization, space management, data integrity, and restoration of corrupted data.
• Support IMS database administration activities, including database objects, IMS and DB2 commands, IBM IMS utilities, SQL performance tuning, and database housekeeping.
• Investigate and resolve incidents, problems, deadlocks, timeouts, and other performance or availability issues across z/OS, IMS, and related products.
• Support security, change, and problem-management processes while contributing to technical documentation, proof-of-concept work, and continuous platform improvements.
• Communicate technical risks, recommendations, and long-term improvement opportunities to technical leaders and stakeholders.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience supporting IBM z/OS environments, including z/OS upgrades, maintenance, patching, and ISV product installation or upgrades.
• 6+ years of working with Parallel Sysplex and JES2, along with building or maintaining mainframe LPARs.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS, SMP/E, RMF, SMF, WLM, z/OSMF, IBM Z architecture, system parameters, and Parmlib maintenance.
• Proven ability to perform IMS Version 15 system programming activities, including IMSGEN, SYSGEN, software installation, upgrades, and maintenance.
• Experience with IMS backup, recovery, reorganization, data integrity, space management, and IBM IMS utilities such as Backup, Reorg, Recovery, Load, Unload, and Pointer Checker.
• Working knowledge of RDBMS concepts, IMS or DB2 commands, SQL, SQL performance tuning, and database monitoring.
• Superb troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills, with experience following security, incident, change, and problem-management processes.

Qualifications

• Background in supporting large-scale, high-availability mainframe environments.
• Strong knowledge of capacity planning, performance optimization, disaster recovery, or operational-readiness activities.
• Experience evaluating new mainframe technologies or supporting proof-of-concept initiatives.

Benefits

• Annual salary between $70,000 - $90,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
• Eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan